WHAT IS “TEST” AND WHAT (GOOD) DOES IT DO?
Ellyn , who faithfully writes these weekly “TEST Tidbits” articles, needed a break, so I’m writing this one -- a kind of refresher on the “who” and “what” of our Team.
“TEST” stands for “Trinity Environmental Stewardship Team.” We are an educational and service ministry within Trinity Parish. We get listed under “Outreach” because our focus encompasses the entire planet and how the human part of it relates to all the rest of it, and also because TEST joins efforts with Earth-care groups outside the Parish.
TEST qualifies as a “small group ministry”: We share a common interest -- promoting the joy and responsibility of being Christ-inspired members and stewards of God’s creation. We bolster one another’s faith, humor, and well-being as friends, and we are always open to new Members and their ideas!
TEST Members currently include Ellyn (TEST secretary besides “Tidbits” researcher/writer), Garth (TEST spiritual coordinator/tech guru), Vashti (plum pudding/fundraising coordinator), David (tech guru), David (tech guru), Paul (Zoom guru), “long-distance Members” Mother Margaret and Jim (in Maryland, but with us in Spirit), and me. For many years TEST was honored to have Austin H. Turney as a loyal Member; we were nourished by his wisdom formed through multifaceted service experiences. His recent passing leaves a hole in our midst.
So, what does TEST do? We summarize our work as providing “information, inspiration, and opportunities” for people to be good Christ-inspired Earth citizens and caretakers. We educate through THE CORNER, helping you find answers to your ecological/Earth-care questions, example, bulletin boards, TEST flyers, emails to our “TEST Friends” list, etc. TEST Members have worked for years on reducing energy use throughout Trinity facilities – performing energy audits, sealing up leaks, replacing light bulbs and fixtures with (first) CFLs and (subsequently) LEDs, installing energy-efficient kitchen windows and “Turn-Out-the-Lights” light-switch plates, etc. We are currently in contact with the Vestry to promote solar power and eliminate fossil-fuel use at Trinity. In the past, we have organized visits to nature-preservation sites but currently lack someone with the time and energy to arrange such trips.
Our recycling efforts are ongoing – worship bulletins; recyclables from the kitchen bin; paper from the office; household batteries, eyeglasses, and CFL bulbs (which you bring and place in the little wooden chest in the Parish Hall). TEST recently sponsored a “No-Mow May” (regarding the Trinity lawn) that received widespread Internet publicity. We look forward to Trinity’s installing a new, electric water heater, so Trinity hospitality can resume use of the dishwasher and cease using “throw-away” dinnerware. TEST has a once-a-year fundraiser, selling home-made Christmas Plum Puddings, and applies the proceeds toward support of in-Parish and external Earth-care actions.
TEST Members now serve on Bishop Cathleen’s Diocese of Kansas Care of Creation Task Force – creating a guide to inspire “green teams” throughout the Diocese, promoting environmental and eco-justice legislation, and writing creation-care-focused prayers, etc. TEST Members participate, as possible, in events led by the City, LET-US (Lawrence Ecology Teams United in Sustainability), and other environmental-focus organizations.
TEST meets almost monthly, in person or via Zoom. We would love to have you join TEST – as a Member or “TEST Friend.” Please contact me (ninxks@gmail.com), Ellyn (ellynowen@gmail.com), or any other TEST Member with your Earth-care questions, or for information about our meetings.
Submitted by Nancy (TEST coordinator)